The kits, each of which includes three masks—one small, medium and large—fit snugly over the face of the animal and easily connect up to the oxygen tanks already in an ambulance. The kits help provide oxygen to animals that have been rescued from fires and reduce their panic or distress so their owners can take them to an animal clinic where they can receive proper medical care.

Each year, more than 40,000 family pets across North America die due to smoke inhalation from a household fire, because paramedics and firefighters often lack the equipment to provide treatment.

The Project Breathe™ pet oxygen mask donation program is targeted towards paramedic and fire department teams who are typically first on the scene in an emergency. The goal of the program is to reduce these unnecessary pet deaths by ensuring first responders have the equipment they need to be able to help save the distressed animal.

So far, over 25,000 masks have been donated across North America through the Project Breathe™ Program and more than 200 pets have been saved.